Advanced Manufacturing: A New Narrative

The World Economic Forum's briefing paper presents a 'New Narrative' for advanced manufacturing, shifting its perception from a tool for productivity to a driver of systemic value. It identifies four megatrends—geopolitical instability, climate change, technology integration, and changing people dynamics—that necessitate an industry transformation. The document outlines five key impact areas: resiliency (improving supply chain responsiveness), efficiency (maximizing resource value), sustainability (achieving net-zero goals), people (ensuring a just transition for workers), and innovation (adapting production methods). It provides case studies from companies like Siemens, Foxconn, and Schneider Electric to illustrate how technologies such as AI, IoT, and digital twins achieve these goals. Finally, it calls for collaborative action through initiatives like the Global Lighthouse Network and the Industry Net Zero Accelerator.

• Advanced manufacturing is being reshaped by four converging megatrends: geopolitical tensions and economic instability, climate change, technology integration, and changing people dynamics.
• The manufacturing sector is a critical lever for climate action, as it accounts for nearly 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
• There is a significant gap in supply chain preparedness, with only 12% of companies considered sufficiently protected against future disruptions in operations and supply chains.
• Technological disruption is rapidly altering the workforce, with employers estimating that 44% of workers' skills will be disrupted within five years, shifting from manual to cognitive and technology-focused skills.
• Advanced manufacturing can significantly reduce environmental impact through circularity; remanufactured products can save up to 98% of CO2 emissions compared to new products.
• The World Economic Forum's Advanced Manufacturing Industry community has committed to five principles: making technologies openly available, enabling worker upskilling, attracting new talent, prioritizing sustainable and circular processes, and building collaborative response mechanisms for crises.

APA

World Economic Forum (2023). Advanced Manufacturing: A New Narrative. https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Advanced_Manufacturing_A_New_Narrative_2023.pdf

Chicago

World Economic Forum. Advanced Manufacturing: A New Narrative. 2023. https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Advanced_Manufacturing_A_New_Narrative_2023.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Economic Forum |title=Advanced Manufacturing: A New Narrative |date=October 2023 |url=https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Advanced_Manufacturing_A_New_Narrative_2023.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldeconomicforum2023advanced, author = {{World Economic Forum}}, title = {{Advanced Manufacturing: A New Narrative}}, institution = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2023}, month = oct, url = {https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Advanced_Manufacturing_A_New_Narrative_2023.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }